Co-op Bank seeks to plug £1.5 bn capital hole

The Co-operative Bank in Britain said on Monday that it was planning to increase its capital cushion by £1.5 billion ($2.4 billion, 1.8 billion euros) to secure its future but without resorting to state aid.

The bank, which as a mutual is owned by its 4.7 million customers, said it would raise the new capital by issuing shares and bonds in exchange for existing debt, as well as from selling assets.

Prince Philip leaves hospital after surgery

Queen Elizabeth II's husband Prince Philip walked out of hospital on Monday, 10 days after the 92-year-old underwent exploratory abdominal surgery.

The royal patriarch, who went under the knife on June 7, smiled and waved as he left the private London Clinic in the centre of the British capital.

He had been expected to remain in hospital for up to two weeks following the operation, and he plans to spend two months recuperating.

Obama arrives in Northern Ireland for G8 summit

US President Barack Obama arrived in Northern Ireland on Monday for the first day of the G8 summit and potentially vexatious talks on Syria with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin.

Obama's Air Force One jet landed at Belfast International Airport outside the capital shortly after 8:35am (0735 GMT). He is due to give a speech in the city centre before meeting President Putin for talks.

Rose out-duels Mickelson to capture US Open

Justin Rose became the first Englishman to win the US Open since Tony Jacklin in 1970 with a tension-packed par-70 final round that delivered his long-sought first major title.

Rose, who also became England's first major champion since Nick Faldo at the 1996 Masters, finished 72 holes on one-over 281 to defeat US star Phil Mickelson and Australian Jason Day by two strokes at formidable Merion Golf club.

London stocks rise at open

Europe's main stock markets rose at the start of trading on Monday, with London's benchmark FTSE 100 index up 0.25 percent to 6,323.94 points.

Frankfurt's DAX 30 gained 0.53 percent to 8,170.75 points and in Paris the CAC 40 won 0.32 percent in value to stand at 3,815.69 compared with Friday's closing levels.

NZealand author says gran was Disraeli's love child

A New Zealand author claims in a new book that her grandmother was former British prime minister Benjamin Disraeli's love child, whose existence was hidden to prevent a scandal in Victorian high society.

Writer Catherine Styles says a note attached to Disraeli's will supports her contention that the two-time Conservative prime minister, a favourite of Queen Victoria, fathered an illegitimate child in London in 1866, when he was 61.

Dozens rescued from Chessington theme park ride

Fire crews have rescued 39 people from a ride at the Chessington World of Adventures theme park after they were stranded 20 feet in the air for three hours.

Around two thirds of those who were stuck late Sunday on the Rameses Revenge ride at the Surrey park were children, according to fire station manager Justin Coo.

"No injuries have been reported though a few people are understandably a bit uncomfortable as they had been stuck for some time," he explained.

GCHQ 'spied' on G20 delegates

Documents leaked by US former spy Edward Snowden appear to show Britain spied on G20 delegates during meetings in London back in 2009, the Guardian newspaper reported Monday.

Among the officials targetted were delegates from NATO ally Turkey and from South Africa.

Britain used "ground-breaking intelligence capabilities" to monitor communications between officials at the two meetings in April and September of 2009, the paper reported.

Williams proud to help out battered Lions

Shane Williams said he was very proud to help out the British and Irish Lions in his cameo tour appearance in the countdown to this weekend's opening Test against the Wallabies.

The Welsh wing great has made a dash from Japan where he was playing club rugby to break his two-year international retirement and help the overstretched Lions ease their workload and play in a one-off against Australian Super 15 conference leaders ACT Brumbies in Canberra on Tuesday.

Briton survives 15-floor plunge in New Zealand

A British man who survived a fall from a 15th-storey apartment balcony in New Zealand was "extraordinarily" lucky to be alive, officials said.

The 20-year-old, named in local media as Tom Stilwell from the English town of Brighton, was in a stable condition after his plunge in the early hours of Sunday morning, Auckland Central Hospital said.

S. Korea president flags risks in engaging North

South Korean President Park Geun-Hye on Monday warned against engaging North Korea in a token dialogue that would only allow Pyongyang more time to develop its nuclear weapons programme.

The warning came in a 20-minute telephone call between Park and US President Barack Obama the day after North Korea proposed opening direct denuclearisation talks with the United States.

Crucial talks in Greece over government future

A looming political crisis in Greece over the shock shutdown of state broadcaster ERT comes to a head on Monday, with Prime Minister Antonis Samaras meeting his coalition allies to see if the government can survive.

Samaras, a conservative, has called a meeting for 1630 GMT with the leaders of the smaller socialist and moderate leftist parties in his coalition, who strongly oppose ERT's closure and have demanded its immediate restoration.

Dutch linesman killing verdict due

A Dutch court is on Monday to hand down a verdict against a group of teenaged boys and a father accused of kicking to death a linesman, a case that sent shockwaves through the football-mad Netherlands.

Amateur league linesman Richard Nieuwenhuizen, 41, was allegedly kicked several times in the head by enraged youth players shortly after a December match, in which one of his sons was playing.

Gender war backfires as men ditch Australia PM

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's attempt to marginalise the opposition by claiming it would change abortion rights and sideline women has backfired with a poll showing male voters are deserting her.

Gillard, the country's first female leader, last week reignited a simmering gender war by saying in a speech that government would be dominated by "men in blue ties" should opposition leader Tony Abbott assume office in September elections.

Activist says China pressured New York University

Chinese activist Chen Guangcheng accused Beijing of waging an "unrelenting" campaign against academic freedom and alleged that this had led New York University to end his studies.

The blind self-taught lawyer, one of the most emblematic Chinese rights campaigners, spoke out on Sunday after adamant denials from the university which said it never planned to enroll him beyond one year and was "saddened" by his charges.

PNG girl beheads father after he rapes her: report

A teenage girl beheaded her father with a bush knife after he raped her at their home in Papua New Guinea, a report said, with community leaders protecting her, saying the man deserved to die.

The Post-Courier newspaper said the 18-year-old chopped her father's head clean off after he repeatedly raped her last Tuesday night in their village in the poverty-stricken Pacific nation's Western Highlands.

French govt humiliated in by-election

France's socialist government suffered the indignity of a first-round exit in a parliamentary by-election to replace a disgraced minister forced out over a tax-dodging scandal.

Former budget minister Jerome Cahuzac, who is facing charges of tax fraud, stepped down from his parliamentary seat in April.

In Sunday's by-election for his seat in Lot-et-Garonne, southwest France, the socialist candidate was pushed into third place -- and thus eliminated.

Czech PM Necas quits amid corruption scandal

Czech Prime Minister Petr Necas said Sunday he would step down amid a massive corruption scandal in which his top aide -- and alleged lover -- was indicted for bribery.

"I will step down as prime minister tomorrow. I am aware of my political responsibility," Necas told reporters after talks in Prague with partners in his centre-right minority coalition government in power since July 2010.

Turkish government supporters gather in Istanbul

Tens of thousands of Turkish government supporters were expected in Istanbul Sunday, hours after police stormed a city park to clear it of opponents of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Riot police used tear gas and water cannon late Saturday to reclaim Gezi Park from demonstrators occupying what had become the symbolic heart of nationwide anti-government protests.

Solar plane lands in Washington on US tour

The solar-powered Solar Impulse aircraft landed near the US capital early on Sunday on the second to last leg of its cross-country journey, organizers said.

The single-seater plane, which runs on four electric propellers powered by 12,000 solar cells mounted on its 63-meter wingspan, touched down smoothly in the dark at Dulles International Airport at 12:15 am (0415 GMT).

The Solar Impulse usually lands in the middle of the night, when airport traffic has subsided.

Apple releases details on US data requests

US tech giant Apple revealed on Monday it received between 4,000 and 5,000 data requests in six months from US authorities, days after Facebook and Microsoft released similar information.

Apple, Facebook, Microsoft and several other top Internet and technology companies have come under heightened scrutiny since word leaked of a vast, covert Internet surveillance program US authorities insist targets only foreign terror suspects and has helped thwart attacks.

Boeing-Airbus dogfight dominates top airshow

The world's biggest air show takes to the skies on Monday, with a battle between Boeing and Airbus for orders in the lucrative market for wide-body planes set to dominate the Paris event.

European manufacturer Airbus managed to steal a march on its American rival before the show -- at Le Bourget just north of Paris -- with a successful maiden flight of its new A350 long-haul plane.

India's central bank keeps rates steady, warns of risks

India's central bank kept its benchmark interest rates unchanged on Monday, after three successive cuts, citing inflationary concerns and a weak rupee in the face of a global economic slowdown.

After meeting in the financial capital Mumbai, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) said the benchmark repo rate, at which it lends to commercial banks, would be on hold at 7.25 percent, as expected by most economists.

Most coal must stay in ground to save climate

Most fossil fuels must remain in the ground because burning them will unleash changes that will "challenge the existence of our society", a new Australian government agency report warned Monday.

The Climate Commission study found that the burning of fossil fuels such as coal, a key Australian export, represented the most significant contributor to climate change.

Hong Kong tycoon buys Dutch waste-to-energy company

A consortium led by Asia's richest man Li Ka-shing said on Monday it had agreed to buy a Dutch waste management company, in a deal worth more than $1billion.

The HK$9.7 billion ($1.25 billion) acquisition of AVR Afvalverwerking B.V. (AVR), which specialises in turning waste into energy, is the second waste processor investment made this year by Li's Cheung Kong Infrastructure Holdings (CKI), which is leading the consortium.

Jittery markets await clarity from the Fed

The Federal Reserve's policy board meets Tuesday to review the economy and its stimulus program, and markets are looking for one thing: clarity.

After weeks of tumultuous stock market volatility and a sharp fall in bond prices, bankers, investors and anyone else with a vested interest are waiting to hear: is the Fed really about to reel in its quantitative easing program?

Israel, Palestinians to resume economic links

Israel and the Palestinian Authority decided to resume economic cooperation suspended by the Jewish state last year, at a meeting of their finance ministers on Sunday.

The Israeli finance ministry, announcing the agreement as host of the Jerusalem talks, said newly appointed Palestinian minister Shukri Bishara met Israel's Yair Lapid, who took office in March.

G8 seeks teeth over tax evasion, bank secrecy

Tax evasion and banking secrecy, hot topics and top targets because of the financial crises and austerity, could be the focus of strong statements at the G8 meeting this week.

The British government, organising the meeting in Northern Ireland, has promised big developments on the basis of substantial progress recently in clamping down on evasion and bursting bank secrecy.

Defence firms call for European drone programme

Three top European defence firms called on Sunday on governments to launch a programme to manufacture drones that European countries are currently having to buy from Israel or the United States.

France's Dassault Aviation, European aerospace giant EADS and Italy's Finmeccania argued such a joint programme would "support the capability needs of European armed forces while optimising the difficult budgetary situation through pooling of research and development funding".

RBS boss exit sparks questions over political strategy

The surprise departure of Royal Bank of Scotland boss Stephen Hester, reportedly at the request of the British government, has sparked questions about the strategy for the state-rescued lender, according to analysts.

Hester's exit, revealed on Wednesday, sent shockwaves through Britain's financial sector because he had previously said that he wanted to complete the Edinburgh-based bank's difficult journey out of government ownership back to the private sector.

Superman reboot 'Man of Steel' soars over US box office

Superman blockbuster "Man of Steel" soared to the top of the North American box office this weekend, scoring a $113-million opening despite mixed reviews, provisional figures showed Sunday.

The Zach Snyder-directed movie stars British actor Henry Cavill as the iconic superhero, with Oscar-nominated actress Amy Adams playing Daily Planet journalist Lois Lane in a cast that also includes Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner and Diane Lane.

Shanghai opens star-packed film festival

Shanghai on Saturday opened its annual film festival packed with star power in acknowledgement of China's role as the second largest box office in the world.

The government-backed Shanghai International Film Festival is mainland China's premier event of its kind, though capital Beijing has tried to steal the show with its own film festival which marked its third year in April.

Adele, 'Blackadder' stars honoured by the queen

British singer Adele and "Blackadder" stars Rowan Atkinson and Tony Robinson were among those given awards in this year's Queen's Birthday Honours announced late Friday.

Adele, 25, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE), which she adds to an already bulging trophy cabinet of several Grammys and an Oscar for the James Bond song "Skyfall".

New Kanye West album leaks, creating online buzz

Kanye West's new album "Yeezus" leaked online, four days before its official release, but the US rapper appeared unconcerned as the Internet went crazy over his latest record.

The much-anticipated album -- due to be officially released Tuesday -- immediately became a top Twitter trending subject Friday, while instant reviews were largely positive.

Celebrities make nuclear video plea ahead of G8

Hollywood stars including Robert De Niro, Michael Douglas and Morgan Freeman are calling on Group of Eight leaders meeting in Northern Ireland next week to eliminate nuclear arms.

Oscar-winning Austrian actor Christoph Waltz and Matt Damon are also among the stars lending their faces and voices to the two-minute video plea by the anti-nuclear campaign group Global Zero.

French chateau where rock legends recorded up for sale

An 18th-century French chateau where rock legends including David Bowie, Elton John and Iggy Pop recorded albums has been put up for sale for 1.295 million euros ($1.73 million).

Dubbed the "Honky Chateau" by John, who named a 1972 album after the estate, the Chateau d'Herouville about 30 kilometres (20 miles) outside Paris hosted a recording studio owned by French composer Michel Magne until 1984.

Avril Lavigne pulls out of A-bomb concert

Canadian pop starlet Avril Lavigne has pulled out of a music festival in the atomic-bombed city of Hiroshima, Japanese organisers said Friday.

The singer of teen anthem "Skater Boy" had agreed to perform in the city's 10-day World Peace Concert, which runs to August 5, the day before the 68th anniversary of the first ever nuclear attack.

Tablets, smartphones steal scene at Tokyo toy show

A toy helicopter created from cannibalised smartphones was among the main attractions at a huge toy show in Tokyo on Friday, where producers were targeting the young and the young-at-heart.

The motor that makes a telephone vibrate provides the power for the rotor blades on the Nano-Falcon, which its makers say is the world's smallest radio-controlled helicopter.

Russian theatre legend Lyubimov makes Bolshoi debut at 95

At the age of 95, one of Russia's most admired theatre directors, Yuri Lyubimov, is staging his first ever production at the Bolshoi Theatre, a boldly pared-down version of Borodin's opera "Prince Igor".

Lyubimov founded and headed Moscow's Taganka Theatre for 50 years, winning worldwide renown for his hugely visual and experimental shows. He quit the theatre two years ago but continues to work despite his advanced age.

Hollywood legends warn of film industry 'implosion'

Hollywood legends Steven Spielberg and George Lucas have sparked a surge of debate in Tinseltown after warning that the film industry is set to implode, amid soaring budgets and cable TV rivalry.

"E.T." icon Spielberg revealed that his Oscar-winning political biopic "Lincoln" almost didn't make it into theaters last year, while Lucas said the path to release films in theaters is "getting smaller and smaller."

Soldado says Spain must find goal-den touch

With one-time golden boy Fernando Torres benched it was left to a less-heralded Spanish striker, Roberto Soldado, to show that the world champions still know where the net is.

It was his goal that cemented a 2-1 Confederations Cup win over Uruguay on Sunday.

Spain's possession-based "tiki-taka" style is designed to frustrate the best of opponents: you can't score if you don't have the ball.

Spurs on brink of another NBA title

The San Antonio Spurs moved within one victory of a fifth NBA title by beating the Miami Heat 114-104 behind a game-high 26 points from Tony Parker and 24 from Danny Green.

The Spurs on Sunday seized a 3-2 lead and can wrap up the best-of-seven series against the reigning champion Heat with a victory on Tuesday in Miami.

Hard for Warner to retain Test spot - Clarke

Captain Michael Clarke says it will be difficult for errant batsman David Warner to hold his place in the Australian side for next month's first Ashes Test after his bar room punch-up with England's Joe Root.

Writing in Sydney's Daily Telegraph on Monday, he said Warner's actions were an unwelcome distraction at the beginning of a four-and-a-half month tour of England and he must work hard to win back the trust of his teammates and Australian fans.

Nigeria bonus row not resolved, says skipper

Nigeria captain Vincent Enyeama said that the row over bonuses that delayed the squad's arrival at the Confederations Cup had not been resolved, but the players were putting it to the back of their minds.

The African champions did not arrive in Brazil until the early hours of Sunday morning, just 36 hours before their Group B opener against minnows Tahiti on Monday, after missing their scheduled flights on Thursday.

Italy coach blasts 'silly' match-winner Balotelli

Italy coach Cesare Prandelli tore a strip off striker Mario Balotelli despite the controversial star grabbing the winner in the 2-1 Confederations Cup victory over Mexico at the Maracana.

Balotelli sealed the win 12 minutes from time with a fine, muscular finish, but Prandelli was furious after the Milan striker was booked for stripping off his shirt in celebration.

Queen's title will boost Wimbledon bid, says Murray

Andy Murray believes his third Queen's Club title will act as the perfect foundation to launch his latest bid to win Wimbledon.

Murray hardly had time to finish celebrating Sunday's 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 victory over Croatian fifth seed Marin Cilic in the final of the pre-Wimbledon warm-up event before thoughts turned to his prospects of ending Britain's 75-year wait for a male winner of the singles' title at the All England Club.

Raonic looks for Wimbledon boost by seaside

Milos Raonic will hope for some valuable grass match touch after taking a wild card as top seed into the men's draw at the ATP-WTA Eastbourne International starting on Monday.

The Canadian, ranked 15 in the world, crashed out of the Halle event in Germany in the first round to Gael Monfils after an early disappointment at the French Open.

Raonic and new coach Ivan Ljubicic will be keen for some confidence heading into Wimbledon.

All Black in homophobic tweet storm

All Blacks fullback Israel Dagg sparked a torrent of criticsm on Sunday after he used a homophobic slur on Twitter.

Dagg was hailed as one of the stars of the All Blacks 30-0 victory over France on Saturday.

But as he revelled in the spotlight, he attracted widespread criticism after he called Auckland Blues player Brendon O'Connor a "fag" on Twitter.

Dhoni urges high-flying India to stay grounded

Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni has told his match-winning young team to remain focused as it approached the business end of the Champions Trophy.

The reigning World Cup champions have enjoyed a remarkable campaign in the eight-nation tournament so far, becoming the only team to enter the semi-finals with an all-win record.

This Brazil team can be 'great', says Scolari

Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari believes his team can grow into a "great" side after seeing his Neymar-inspired outfit sweep past Japan 3-0 in their Confederations Cup opener.

Never a man to get carried away, 2002 World Cup winner Scolari was visibly pleased after the Selecao sent the Asian champions packing in Brasilia in their Group A clash.